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A friend went to Norway over New year a few days ago and it’s stuck in my head so am starting the research. I was wondering if anyone has any particular recommendations on hotels, tours or packages/agents? The hotel she stayed in had an evening buffet included, and on tap tea/coffee which seems a great idea to me especially as we don’t drink alcohol. We don’t need fancy,and have no elite status (apart from Best Western gold which says a lot about where we stay!).
Or even on clothing? I’m always cold and am a big fan of dress appropriately and you wont suffer as much!
I know its a very expensive time to go (onto of an already expensive country) but husband isn’t permitted to have time off work at any point in the winter months apart from when the company shuts over the holiday period.
I did do a search but couldn’t find any thread on this, but may have missed something. Thanks all!
Obviously the problem with Tromso is that it’s above the Arctic Circle so it’s going to be dark the entire time you’re there. It’s a very odd experience – did it both in mid winter and mid summer for work in the 90s. So that in turn will limit what you can sensibly do in terms of tours etc. And with a limited population, the cultural opportunities whilst present aren’t exactly huge, either. I did however get to see the Northern lights. I’ve never done hallucinogenic drugs, but imagine it’s a lot like that.
So you might want to think about a two centre trip? Maybe add something like Oslo into the mix? Whilst daylight will still be limited, you have some and there’s more to do in terms of museums, food etc, then head up to the top of Norway just for NYE?
Obviously the problem with Tromso is that it’s above the Arctic Circle so it’s going to be dark the entire time you’re there. It’s a very odd experience – did it both in mid winter and mid summer for work in the 90s. So that in turn will limit what you can sensibly do in terms of tours etc. And with a limited population, the cultural opportunities whilst present aren’t exactly huge, either. I did however get to see the Northern lights. I’ve never done hallucinogenic drugs, but imagine it’s a lot like that.
So you might want to think about a two centre trip? Maybe add something like Oslo into the mix? Whilst daylight will still be limited, you have some and there’s more to do in terms of museums, food etc, then head up to the top of Norway just for NYE?
Two centre hand even occurred Ito me – that’s a great idea! The direct flights seem to be from LGW or Wizzair from LTN and as we’re closer LHR it that makes the indirect flights more appealing and a few days in Oslo would be a good call. I want to do the dog sledding etc and He’ll want to do snowmobile stuff so thats couple of days up there at least. We’ve probably only got a 7-8days to play with so some down time would be nice. The dark is intriguing and one of things that I’d like to experience.
We got lucky on a flight back from ORD years ago and watched the northern lights from the windows for hours and hours. I was bemused by the number of people thats just weren’t interested in looking at it at all.
You may however find that the activities simply don’t run in Tromso for the 6 weeks or so of no light, or if they do you risk not seeing much at all. In addition to Oslo it’s quite easy to get into the interior. Lots of winter resorts further south like Lillehammer (direct train from Gardermoen) where they do all that sort of thing – and you’ll be able to see the landscape!
You may however find that the activities simply don’t run in Tromso for the 6 weeks or so of no light, or if they do you risk not seeing much at all. In addition to Oslo it’s quite easy to get into the interior. Lots of winter resorts further south like Lillehammer (direct train from Gardermoen) where they do all that sort of thing – and you’ll be able to see the landscape!
Thanks, all great advice – I’ve sent some enquiring emails.
Thats what I did a few years ago. A few days in oslo before taking a flight upto tromso plus. Oslo was not for me at all.
Viator is a good place to start for a overview of various activities tours available. It’s Norway so expect to pay £100-150 person for any sort of activity. I did a lights tour which was pretty epic. We left the hotel at 6pm travelled into Finland had a midnight dinner by a lake with a log fire. It was about -15 so you’ll need to layer up. Most of the tour company will have snow suits\boots etc and collect and return you to your hotel.
It was October 2020 or 2021.
Norway (used to live there) is really about the scenery. Look at Hurtigruten (translates as the fast route, but it’s not), this is a unique shipping company (not a cruise line) although they do now carry a lot of tourists. It’s a laid back affair on a passenger service that stops at various ports along the coastline, sometimes for a couple of hours, other times 15 minutes in the middle of the night, to drop off/pick up goods and passengers. Many places are small villages with just a few hundred or thousand habitants. The cabins are comfortable, the food fresh local and good, but it’s really about sitting in the lounge (or layering up to go on deck) to be mesmerised by the passing coastal scenes and maybe the northern lights. With some shore excursions or just a 15 minute walk around the town, in most places that’s all that you can do and you will have walked the whole town. Spent several NYE watching fireworks as slowly passing coastal settlements and then a 4 hour stop in Tromsø and visiting the Arctic cathedral for a midnight service.
Each day a ship leaves Bergen heading North and one leaves Kirkenes (next to the Russian border) heading South. You can go North – South or VV, or ports in between, or if you are time and cash rich a 14 day round trip, stopping in the ports you missed in the Night on the way back in the Day time. Trømso is a city by Norwegian size, but a small town by UK measures.
Hurtigruten is an historic shipping line, moving people and goods around Norwegian coastal communities, but times change and they have had to seek additional income and now offer various tourist packages. They also have what some Norwegians see as an upstart junior competitor Havila. Both sail the coastline, little open sea, and same ports. Google is your friend.
That sounds fantastic!!! I like cities in short bursts so Oslo would prob be ok for a day or so. I’m expecting it all to be pretty pricey so anything that includes food is useful as thats one meal I don’t have to buy.
@QwertyKnowsBest This does sound a great idea and will look into that plus a bulk load of travel sickness pills. I’m not the greatest on the water – my other half will probably be doing any whale watching without me. 🙂I’ve stayed at a few hotels in the Nordic Choice/Strawberry chain which had dinner included for all guests. The room rates didn’t seem to be noticeably different from other hotels that didn’t have dinner. The food was ok, not amazing but it does save money, as a mediocre restaurant meal is already quite expensive, and as breakfast in Scandinavian hotels is usually pretty extensive you can even skip lunch if there is nowhere interesting you want to try.
I’ve stayed at a few hotels in the Nordic Choice/Strawberry chain which had dinner included for all guests. The room rates didn’t seem to be noticeably different from other hotels that didn’t have dinner. The food was ok, not amazing but it does save money, as a mediocre restaurant meal is already quite expensive, and as breakfast in Scandinavian hotels is usually pretty extensive you can even skip lunch if there is nowhere interesting you want to try.
The one I was looking at was a Choice Clarion hotel with dinner – I was confused by the strawberry as couldn’t tell if it was a booking portal or the actual hotel website. It good to know the food is ok – we dont need amazing, just edible. I still find it hard not to stow a few bits from breakfast for lunch even though its been a fair few years since my backpacking days.
It’s been a while but in Norway it used to be the norm to cobble together a packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. Even the hospitality industry knows how expensive it is!
Also the coastline means that Hurtigruten – especially on the larger/newer ships – tends to be a pretty stable sailing experience. You’re not out in truly open water. At least that’s what my tourist board mates used to tell me!
It could be very cold in Oslo. I was scheduled to go there last week to meet a friend but the temperature was between -18 and -20 every day so decided to cancel. The west coast towns like Alesund (where she is originally from) are usually warmer because of the Gulf Stream.
Also the coastline means that Hurtigruten – especially on the larger/newer ships – tends to be a pretty stable sailing experience. You’re not out in truly open water
@TherealSwissTony is correct. Most of the journey is in sheltered waters. Only time in several trips that I have noticed swell was a short stretch in the Barents sea. The coast is so close at times that you wonder how they navigate through inlets etc, but that for me is part of the charm and experience, watching it slowly pass by.
if it helps this is the group i booked tours with https://northernhorizon.no/
I thought they were excellent
Thanks everyone lots to be thinking about now 🙂
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